Latest news with #Bathurst1000
Courier-Mail
11 hours ago
- Automotive
- Courier-Mail
Supercars Darwin: Barry Ryan's frank verdict on fall of Erebus
Don't miss out on the headlines from Motorsport. Followed categories will be added to My News. Erebus chief executive Barry Ryan has offered a frank reflection on a crippling 18 months that has seen his title-winning team slip to last in the Supercars standings. After a fairytale start to the Gen3 era, which saw Erebus win both the drivers' and teams' titles in 2023, the squad has endured a string of well-publicised internal struggles. Will Brown defected to Triple Eight at the end of 2023, while reigning champion Brodie Kostecki missed the start of the 2024 season while in dispute with the team, which coincided with big name sponsors such as Coca-Cola walking away. Kostecki would later return and win the Bathurst 1000, however left to Dick Johnson Racing at the end of last season – along with both Erebus race engineers George Commins and Tom Moore. Will Brown left Erebus at the end of 2023. Picture: Brendan Radke Brodie Kostecki was another high-profile departure. Team principal Brad Tremain also left the squad at the end of 2024 with plans to pursue an opportunity in IndyCar in the US. That has prompted a significant, and ongoing, internal rebuild, highlighted by Ryan himself needing to take the race engineer role on Jack Le Brocq's car. It's been tough going for Le Brocq and rookie teammate Cooper Murray, too, with Erebus slumping to last in the teams' standings ahead of this weekend's Darwin Triple Crown. 'There's no hiding behind it; the last 18 months have been really hard on our team. Really hard,' said Ryan at Hidden Valley on Friday. 'Losing key people … our last rebuild was 2021 and we got Brodie and Will and no one believed, really, in that. And we won a championship two years later, and we won Bathurst the year after. X SUBSCRIBER ONLY 'We've gone back to where we were [in 2021]. 'It's hard on the team. To replace people like George, Tom and Brodie is really hard. Brad Tremain is going to kick goals in America. That's four key people out of the team, it's really tough to replace that. 'It's going to take time. We can't hide behind that. I can only do so much and the boys that I've had there for six, seven years can only do so much. 'Unfortunately I'm still race engineering, and I say that because I shouldn't be. I should be running the business. But until we can get the right person to do that role; we're trying to self-promote from within, we're trying to find an engineer we can just put in and be really successful. Cooper Murray was 11th in the second practice session in Darwin. 'It's a balancing act and I can't say I'm really enjoying it. We got to a point where we were beating Triple Eight and we wanted to be that team that was the best year in, year out. 'Massive respect to Roland Dane for what he did for that whole time he was there, and what they're still doing. We got there and we just couldn't keep the momentum. 'No matter what everyone thinks the reason is why. We just couldn't keep that momentum that teams like that can do. 'Anyway, it's a lesson learned, this whole situation. We'll try not to go through it again. 'We'll get there again. We're confident in our team. We've got a great bunch of loyal staff that want to stay on and want to see us get there again and win championships and Bathursts. 'We're still going to go to Bathurst trying to win there this year. We'll have the belief and we'll have the drivers than can do it.' Erebus showed signs of improvement on track on Friday, with Murray 11th in the second practice session and Le Brocq in 19th as Andre Heimgartner led the way for Brad Jones Racing ahead of Ryan Wood and Will Brown. This story was written by Speedcafe Originally published as Supercars Darwin: Barry Ryan's frank verdict on fall of Erebus
West Australian
12-06-2025
- Automotive
- West Australian
New Holland rewards dedicated Narrogin apprentice, Darcy Bryant-Smith, with Perth Super 440 experience
A Narrogin apprentice's dreams came true at Perth Super 440 at the weekend after his dedication to the industry was rewarded by New Holland, Red Bull Ampol Racing's team sponsor. Darcy Bryant-Smith's spent the weekend trackside with the Red Bull Ampol Racing pit crew as a passenger to the podium-team, an experience he described as 'memorable'. The apprentice service technician said he never expected to be afforded the 'once-in-a-lifetime' experience. 'By far the highlight form this weekend has been getting in the car and seeing what the drivers can do from the passenger seat,' he said. 'I spent the experience mostly supporting the tyre team to keep the pitstop stops short. I also did a bit with the specialised cooling fan mechanics to ensure that the engines didn't overheat and that they were performing. 'Both of the drivers podiumed over the weekend, so it was a memorable experience being a part of their overall win.' Mr Bryant-Smith spent many weekends with his family watching Bathurst 1000 which helped foster his dream to work with engines, identifying faults and getting the vehicles back on the road. Following his love for cars, he completed a Certificate III in Agricultural Mechanical Technology while attending a local agriculture college before moving to a heavy diesel agricultural apprenticeship at the McIntosh Training Academy. Today Mr Bryant-Smith works on big diesel engines, hydraulics, and powertrains on agricultural machinery from combine harvesters, tractors, balers, and telehandlers to general farm equipment at McIntosh & Son Narrogin. 'Although I knew this kind of field existed, I didn't think I would be working on agricultural machinery every day and helping farmers remain operational,' he said. McIntosh & Son Narrogin service manager Byron Blevin said Darcy had already proven himself to be an invaluable asset to the team, despite only being a second-year heavy diesel agricultural apprentice. 'Darcy's wealth of knowledge is truly remarkable for someone of his age and experience,' he said. 'It's not uncommon for more qualified team members to seek Darcy's input and advice as his knowledge and problem-solving skills often surpass those of many with far more years of experience.' Mr Blevin said one of Mr Bryant-Smith's most impressive recent achievements was his successful completion of a complicated differential rebuild, which he executed in an 'exceptionally efficient time frame'. 'This task required a high level of skill, attention to detail, and a solid understanding of complex mechanical systems — qualities that Darcy displayed in abundance,' he said. 'His ability to complete such intricate work with speed and precision speaks volumes about his capabilities and work ethic.' New Holland has awarded five other apprentice service technicians across Australia and New Zealand this year. The reward program serves as part of their continued efforts to attract young talent into the agriculture industry. CNH national parts and service manager Gary Pertot said the industry's biggest issue is trying to attract quality technicians and apprentices. 'Our program is about challenging perceptions that agriculture is a low-tech or uninteresting career,' he said. 'Modern agriculture is about complex technologies — CVT transmissions, precision farming tools, and advanced engineering. 'We are showing school leavers, young people or those looking to reskill that a career in agriculture is a chance to be at the forefront of technological innovation that feeds the nation.'
West Australian
06-06-2025
- Automotive
- West Australian
Rising West Australian race car driver Mason Harvey to compete at Perth V8 Supercars round
One of WA's rising drivers is set to showcase his talents during the V8 Supercars visit to Perth this weekend. Mason Harvey is a two-time WA Saloon Car State Champion but has made the move to the Aussie Racing Cars championship for the 2025 season. The 20-year-old has made a strong start across the opening two rounds of the campaign, with a string of front-row starts, podiums, and lap records. Now, Harvey heads to his home circuit in Wanneroo ready to make a statement, having claimed his first victory in Tasmania last time out. 'Winning in Tassie was massive for us,' Harvey said. 'We've been building for this, and to now come back to Perth with that momentum, in front of my home crowd, it's going to be something special. I'll be giving it everything.' The series will join the Supercars on track for four of their seven rounds, with Perth the third stop on the calendar after rounds in Sydney and the Apple Isle. Harvey sits equal fourth in the standings, just eight points behind leader Kody Garland, in what is set to be a vicious championship fight. The 22-car field includes Olympian John Steffenson, while Garland, Joel Heinrich and Jack Boyd join Harvey in the fight for the title. It is set to be a big weekend for WA racers as Supercars and Bathurst 1000 champion Brodie Kostecki returns to his home track with Dick Johnson Racing. The Aussie Racing Cars will be on track across the three days of Supercars competition from June 6 to 9.
Perth Now
06-06-2025
- Automotive
- Perth Now
Rising WA driver Mason Harvey to compete at Supercars round
One of WA's rising drivers is set to showcase his talents during the V8 Supercars visit to Perth this weekend. Mason Harvey is a two-time WA Saloon Car State Champion but has made the move to the Aussie Racing Cars championship for the 2025 season. The 20-year-old has made a strong start across the opening two rounds of the campaign, with a string of front-row starts, podiums, and lap records. Now, Harvey heads to his home circuit in Wanneroo ready to make a statement, having claimed his first victory in Tasmania last time out. 'Winning in Tassie was massive for us,' Harvey said. 'We've been building for this, and to now come back to Perth with that momentum, in front of my home crowd, it's going to be something special. I'll be giving it everything.' The series will join the Supercars on track for four of their seven rounds, with Perth the third stop on the calendar after rounds in Sydney and the Apple Isle. Harvey sits equal fourth in the standings, just eight points behind leader Kody Garland, in what is set to be a vicious championship fight. The 22-car field includes Olympian John Steffenson, while Garland, Joel Heinrich and Jack Boyd join Harvey in the fight for the title. It is set to be a big weekend for WA racers as Supercars and Bathurst 1000 champion Brodie Kostecki returns to his home track with Dick Johnson Racing. One of WA's rising drivers is set to showcase his talents during the V8 Supercars visit to Perth this weekend. Credit: Unknown / Supplied by Subject The Aussie Racing Cars will be on track across the three days of Supercars competition from June 6 to 9.
Perth Now
05-06-2025
- Automotive
- Perth Now
Wanneroo Raceway to host historic 100th Supercars race
The Wanneroo Raceway will make Australian motorsport history this weekend as it hosts its 100th Supercars championship race, the first circuit in the nation to reach the milestone. A field of 26 V8 Supercar drivers and 12 teams will take on the new Super 440 format, a combination of sprint and endurance races over the weekend. After two 30-minute practice sessions on Friday, drivers will face back-to-back qualifying sessions on Saturday before racing two 120km sprints, followed by a 200km refuelling race on Sunday. Your local paper, whenever you want it. Treating fans to a thrilling build-up ahead of the main event on Sunday, drivers will compete in a two-part knockout qualifying session and a top-10 shootout to determine their starting positions for the 200km race. Eyeing off a win in front of his home crowd is reigning Bathurst 1000 champion Brodie Kostecki, who is set to race a Ford Mustang GT alongside teammate and veteran Will Davison for Dick Johnson Racing for the first time in Perth this weekend. Kostecki, who is originally from Ballajura, said he's thrilled to return to the Wanneroo raceway, where his passion for racing first started, just like many young racers from Perth's northern suburbs who started out at the Tiger Kart Club. 'It's always a great turnout at the Wanneroo raceway and racing in front of friends and family is always great as well,' he said. 'My first ever memories of being on a racetrack were at the Wanneroo, way back when I was four years old.' Reigning Bathurst 1000 champion Brodie Kostecki. Credit: Kelsey Reid / The West Australian Despite his sentimental attachment to Wanneroo raceway, Kostecki has thrown his support behind the State Government's planned Perth motorsport street circuit in Burswood, which is expected to host V8 Supercars from 2027 — making this weekend's event one of the last V8 Supercar races at Wanneroo. Kostecki said he contributed to the design of the recently announced Burswood circuit, which he described as a 'privilege' to be a part of. 'I think it could be great for everyone here in WA,' he said. 'It's going to bring a lot of new people into our sport, and it's going to be right in the heart of Perth city, which is going to be fantastic as well.' Supercars veteran Will Davison said he considered Perth a second home since his wife is from here, and although he has been a 'huge supporter of supporting local motorsport circuits', he also threw his support behind the Burswood circuit plan. 'There's so much going on at street events that are good for the kids, good for the family. There's entertainment everywhere you look,' Davison said. 'Until you sort of feel that around a street track experience, the atmosphere that it creates . . . it's probably impossible to explain it to people.' The 2024 Repco Supercars Championship, at the Wanneroo Raceway. Credit: Kass Brumley/EDGE Photographics / Kass Brumley/EDGE Photographics This week's event marks the 46th time the Australian Touring Car Championship/Supercars Championship has been held at Wanneroo. Over this 52-year history, eight manufacturers have stood atop of the podium at the track. Holden, which is now defunct and hasn't raced in the series since 2022, still stands well clear with 50 victories ahead of Ford with 36 wins, followed by Nissan and Chevrolet with three apiece. The legendary Craig Lowndes holds the record for most wins at Wanneroo with 16, ahead of Mark Skaife with eight. Cam Waters won the 2024 Bosch Power Tools Perth SuperSprint. Credit: Mark Horsburgh/EDGE Photographics / Mark Horsburgh/EDGE Photographics Supporting the Supercars across the three days will be the V8 SuperUtes, Trans Am/TA2 (Muscle Car Series), WA Historic Touring Cars, and the Aussie Racing Cars championship. WA Tourism and Sports Minister Rita Saffioti said ticket sales for this year's event were again strong, and called on fans to support the new racing format. 'We encourage all Western Australians to go along and watch motorsport racing at its best,' Ms Saffioti said. 'These types of events very much support our growing economy.' SUPERCARS TRACK TIMES FRIDAY, June 6 Practice 1 — 12.05pm Practice 2 — 1.55pm SATURDAY, June 7 Race 14 Qualifying — 9.45am Race 15 Qualifying — 10.35am Race 14 — 12.55pm (120km sprint, 50 laps) Race 15 — 4.10pm (120km sprint, 50 laps) SUNDAY, June 8 Race 16 Qualifying — 11am Race 16 Top Ten Shootout — 1.05pm Race 16 — 3.15pm (200km, 83 laps)
